WEDDING BLOG

Where to Get Ready the Morning Of Your Wedding + Wedding Ready Tips

January 15, 2024 | Junebug Weddings

You’ve got your wedding party picked out, checked off all your major vendors, and now it’s time to think about the timeline and all the little details that come with it. You may be wondering where to spend the morning of your big day. That’s why we’re here to help with a few creative getting wedding-ready location ideas and all the tips you need for a smooth wedding morning!

Getting Ready Location Ideas

If the getting ready experience is important to you, location can play a huge part in how you’re feeling on the day of your wedding. These are also some of the most candid and fun photos of the day, It’s important to think about lighting and room size when considering the space you’ll choose to spend time in leading up to the big “I do!” Involve your vendors who can help you choose the perfect spot to begin one of the most memorable days of your life.

Still on the vendor hunt? Be sure to check out our directory of the world’s best wedding vendors.

Image by Kristelle Boulos

Wedding Venue – This seems like an obvious choice for where to get ready the morning of your wedding, right? If you love the decor and design of your venue, you probably want as many photos there as possible. It also makes things extremely easy, since you’ll be on site the entire day. This can be a lifesaver in keeping up with your wedding day timeline. Be sure to check with your venue to see what time they’ll allow you to arrive on the day of. You might need to start to get ready at an alternate location and arrive at the venue just for the “final touches.”

Airbnb or Private Residence – If you need a little extra space or another location in addition to your wedding venue or ceremony location, an Airbnb or private home is a great option. Renting an Airbnb for your wedding party to stay in the night before the wedding can also be a fun way to add a little extra time with them into your wedding weekend schedule.

Hotel – As an alternative to an Airbnb, booking a hotel can also be a great option, especially if you’re having a destination wedding or a lot of guests in town for the big day. If you are getting ready at a hotel where many of your guests are also staying, just make sure you’ve coordinated a way to sneak out without anyone seeing you (if you care about that tradition, of course).

Salon – Many salons offer a bridal package that allows you and your crew to get all your pampering done right there at the salon. We love this idea because it gets you out of your element and into a fun environment with your friends. Plus, there’s no extra clean-up needed once you leave.

Getting Wedding Ready Tips

groom spraying perfume while he gets ready

Image by MemoryBox

Now that you should be feeling good about where to get ready the morning of your wedding, it’s time to talk about how to make the most of your getting ready experience with some helpful “wedding ready” tips.

1. Plan your outfits – There’s nothing we love more than when soon-to-be newlyweds wear matching outfits or robes with their wedding parties. Whether you opt for comfy robes, matching pajama sets, or just coordinating colors, matching looks super cute in photos.

2. Pack a bag the week before – We know this might seem like an obvious step, but on the week of your wedding you’re likely excited and probably spending lots of time with family and friends. Make sure you remember YOU. Carve out time to put together a wedding essentials kit that you can bring with you on the morning of your big day. This should include everything from your jewelry, invitation suite, and shoes to smaller items like safety pins, a stain remover, and hair spray.

Junebug tip: If “detail” photos are important to you, you can also pack along a few styling items. Make sure your photographer knows where to find these things when they arrive.

3. Choose who you want to be in the room when you get dressed – During the hustle and bustle of wedding day it’s easy to just start going through the motions and rushing around to stick to a timeline. On your wedding day, keep in mind that it’s OK to stop, breathe, and think about your needs. Before your wedding day, make sure your team (photographer, videographer, and planner) knows who you want to help get you dressed. They can kindly ask anyone else to exit the room for this special, private moment. If you’re looking to have a first look with your wedding party, this is an excellent way to keep your full wedding day look a secret until the full reveal, too.

4. Keep the room tidy – With so many people getting ready in one space, clutter happens. However, it can be a huge distraction in photos and videos. Try asking your friends to limit their bags and keep their things in a location off to the side or just outside the room. If you have room in your budget for reusable water bottles or matching cups, this is a great way to keep things clutter-free while also providing your wedding party with a small gift.

5. Take alone time if you need it – Even if you haven’t decided where to get ready the morning of your wedding, making a decision to take some alone time on your special day can be a truly beautiful thing. Think about your intentions for the day, and don’t be afraid to speak up if you’re feeling overwhelmed and just need a few minutes to center yourself and breathe.

6. Make sure to hydrate (with more than just champagne) – We know this isn’t the most exciting piece of advice, but it’s an important one. While it may be tempting to enjoy all the bubbly with your best friends on the morning of your wedding, you can’t go wrong with hydrating. Plus, champagne is highly carbonated and all that fizz can cause bloating and other gut problems. Enjoy one glass if need a little help loosening up, but stick to water until after the ceremony. Trust us when we say you’ll thank yourself for it.

Image by Diptych Studio

7. Make time for all the reveals – Revealing your bridal look to your friends and family is one of the most exciting parts of the day. Make sure both your planner and photographer are aware of your wishes for these reveals. It’s best if they’re not hurried or rushed so that every emotion can be fully felt.

Now you’re ready to get wedding ready! You can’t get ready in silence though (unless you want to, that is)! That’s why we’ve put together what we think is the perfect wedding getting ready playlist that you’re going to want to dance to allll morning long!

Image by Claudia Robson

This Desert Harbor Retreat Elopement Was Inspired by the New Mexico Desert

January 15, 2024 | justine

ivory orange

Imagine a beautiful, secluded location with stunning views of desert mountains—the kind of setting that makes love feel even more special. Samantha and McCall experienced just that after a rainy and muddy wild full moon wedding with friends and family in Georgia. They decided to escape for a quiet, romantic, and adventurous time, just the two of them. With the support of their fantastic team of vendors, they successfully pulled off a Desert Harbor Retreat elopement. Inspired by the New Mexico Desert come true, it turned out exactly as they envisioned.

Beneath a geometric arch that beautifully framed the grand mountains in the backdrop, the couple declared their love. Following the ceremony, they ventured into the desert, feeling the soft sands beneath their bare feet. They climbed the rocky terrain in their elopement attire and drove through the enchanting desert landscape in a vintage British Land Rover.

If intimate and dreamy desert vibes are your thing, get ready to be blown away. Their special day was brimming with emotional moments and panoramic desert views, all of which Junebug member Shutterfreek captured beautifully. Take a moment to scroll down to see what we mean.

The Couple:

Samantha and McCall

The Wedding:

Desert Harbor Retreat, Sandia Park, New Mexico, United States

How They Landed on a Desert Harbor Retreat Elopement After a Bigger Wedding Celebration

After a very wet and muddy wild full moon wedding celebration with our friends and family in Georgia, we wanted to sneak away for something quiet, intimate, romantic, and adventurous just for the two of us. Our outfits, florals, venue, and decor were minimalist, with burnt oranges and neutrals. We adventured in the desert barefoot, climbed up the rocky landscape in our elopement outfits, and Sam drove us through the dreamy desert sands in a vintage British Land Rover that Desert Harbor Retreat had on-site.

Simplified and Stress-Free Budgeting With a Focus on Talented Vendors

We took a minimalist approach to our budget, given we gathered friends and family. Most of our budget went to the pre-gathering of our friends and family. Desert Harbor Retreat offers straightforward elopement packages with preferred vendors, making our budgeting easy and stress-free. Our budget was $15,000, including a three-night stay, our food and beverage for the weekend, and all our vendors. We splurged on an incredible serenade from a talented flamenco guitarist and a one-of-a-kind photographer and videographer to capture the magic of our marriage.

How Desert Harbor Nailed Every Detail of Their Elopement

Desert Harbor Retreat fully executed our vision. The full service, privacy, intimacy, and genuine kindness of the family running the venue were all reasons we knew Desert Harbor was meant for us. They handled every aspect of our elopement weekend with a laid-back yet thorough demeanor anyone would want on their wedding day. The ease and simplicity of it all were most memorable—just the two of us, with no true timeline and no stresses or worries. Just us and our love. And the expansive, warm, and welcoming desert to act as the container of our eternal love for that special day. It’s easy to get swept away in a grand celebration. We both wanted to feel deeply connected to nature. Like we were the only two people on the planet that day.

The Wedding Team:

Photography + Videography – Shutterfreek
Venue – Desert Harbor Retreat
Floral Design – FloralFetish
Officiant – Raymond Linam
Makeup Artist + Hair Styling – Genica Lee
Accessories + Rings – Alexis Russell

Congratulations to Samantha and McCall on their Desert Harbor Retreat elopement inspired by the New Mexico Desert. And a special thanks to Junebug member Shutterfreek for capturing the magical desert landscape and all the loving moments throughout their special day. To see more enchanting retreats like this one, be sure to check out their profile in our directory of the best wedding photographers from around the world.

While gathering all your loved ones for a grand affair is great, it’s crucial to carve out moments of intimacy, romance, and stress-free bliss for just the two of you. Much like the beautiful event orchestrated by Sam and McCall. Not sure where to start? Explore our elopement and budget guides to craft your own perfect, intimate celebration.

This Euridge Manor Wedding is A Color Lover’s Dream Come True

January 13, 2024 | justine

light blue light pink orange purple yellow

Bhuwan, from India, and Yutong, from China, first crossed paths while in the UK. Dreaming of a European-style wedding, they knew this special place had to be their “I do” location. Their wedding planner, Valentina from The Stars Inside, worked magic, helping them shape the perfect wedding vision. With a fantastic team in tow, they meticulously planned every detail, and voila! Their Euridge Manor wedding was a burst of colors, blooms, and personality. What’s more, they pulled off this impressive feat in less than two months!

Picture a stunning boathouse ceremony with an altar decked out in floral pillars, offering a breathtaking view of the water. After the couple exchanged heartfelt vows, the magic continued with a garden reception that was equally as enchanting. Imagine tables adorned with vibrant blooms, delicate linens, and elegant settings, creating a feast for the eyes. To add a touch of sophistication, an outdoor chandelier hung overhead, completing the picture-perfect scene.

As much as we’d love to keep gushing about this extraordinary event, we’ll let the incredible photos captured by Rebecca Carpenter do the talking. From the sweet first look to the charming boat portraits and all the beautiful moments in between, this celebration is truly a must-see.

The Couple:

Yutong and Bhuwan

The Wedding:

Euridge Manor, United Kingdom

Discovering the Dream Dress a Week Before the Wedding

I found my wedding dress in China just a week before the big day! I wanted something with some Chinese elements but not so much that it would look out of place in the British countryside. The feather cape was the perfect touch. It looked unique and elegant. I was very happy when I found it after trying on many other dresses.

Surreal Moments: Walking Down the Aisle and Bhuwan’s Emotional Reaction

The ceremony was definitely the highlight of the day. When the music started and it was my turn to walk down the aisle, it felt so surreal. I especially loved the few minutes when I walked down those stairs and saw Bhuwan and our family members all standing in the boathouse, looking so beautiful. Bhuwan’s special moment was right after the ceremony when we walked out of the boathouse, and our musicians started playing “Married Life” from “Up.” Our fantastic photographer captured the moment he teared up and wiped his eyes.

Pulling Off Their Dream Euridge Manor Wedding In Less Than Two Months

We planned our wedding in less than two months! I got my dress one week before the wedding and our wedding ring just two days before the big day. We were lucky that our top-pick venue and many top-pick vendors were available. Our wedding planner did the magic for us to bring everything together in a very short period. When we first saw her website, we were instantly smitten with her style. She clearly cared about her couples, so we knew we were in good hands. She helped us find all the best vendors, put thought into every little detail, and delivered a wedding that was even better than we imagined. Since colorful flowers were something I wanted, she helped us find florists who could provide them. Picking the florist set the tone for the wedding. Our venue was dry hire, so Valentina helped us pick unique furniture, plates, and utensils to complete the look. She also helped us pick live music performances that took the feel to another level.

Navigating Expenses Without A Concrete Budget

We only had a vague idea of how much we wanted to spend on our wedding, and we didn’t create a clear budget initially. We ended up spending way more than we thought we would. We absolutely loved our wedding in the end, but if we had to do it again, we would start with a clearer budget. Flowers were our most significant expense. Having lots of colorful flowers was one of the few things I wanted from the start. We didn’t realize how much they would cost. But was it worth it? Absolutely! The flowers our florist put together were stunning and a defining element of our wedding.

Making Their Loved Ones Feel at Home was Top Priority

It was essential to us that our family members have a great day. We only had our parents and my sister at the wedding, and both sides of the family traveled from Asia to be there. We wanted to ensure they felt comfortable and at ease the whole time. We put “dad,” “mom,” and “little sister” in Chinese for my family and Hindi for Bhuwan’s family on the name cards instead of their names. It was a nice gesture to make our families feel more at home.

The Wedding Team:

Photography – Rebecca Carpenter
Event Planning – The Stars Inside
Ceremony + Reception Venue – Euridge Manor
Floral Design – Jenni Bloom
Catering – Reeka Events
Live Music – Mav Duo through LMI Live
Videography – Abigail & Luke
Invitation Design – Paige & Co
Makeup Artist + Hair Styling – Melissa Wood
Groom’s Apparel – Suitsupply
Rentals – Virginias Vintage Hire
Tableware – Wren Ark
Lighting – NOMADLIVE

Congratulations to Yutong and Bhuwan on their Euridge Manor wedding. It was truly a color lover’s dream come true. Plus, we want to give a big shout-out to Rebecca Carpenter for capturing all the stunning details and swoon-worthy moments couples can use as inspiration.

Choosing a stunning venue, adding unique touches, and creating a magical atmosphere can make your event unforgettable for you and your guests. But, the key to pulling off a truly stunning celebration is hiring trusted vendors. These experts will collaborate seamlessly to bring all the elements together and make your vision a reality. Not sure where to start? Check out our vendor directory to assemble your dream team.

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